https://leader.pubs.asha.org/article.aspx?articleid=2664638Autism IncidenceI was taken aback at your report on autism spectrum disorder that claimed “It’s well-known that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects an estimated one in 68 children in the U.S.” (“Report Illuminates ASD and Co-Occurring Conditions,” September 2017). There is no competent research that I know which would ever claim ...2017-12-01T00:00:00Inbox

There is no competent research that I know which would ever claim such an inflated number. In fact, articles have been written to decry the inflation of this diagnosis that has resulted from the expansion in the DSM [Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders] description from its original DMS-III protocol.

The standard 5 percent has, and still, reflects the actual diagnosis of autism without inflating that percent with children that others may think are “quirky” (for example, Thomas Edison) but are not disabled. It would be similar to labeling many songwriters, actors and actresses as manic- depressives or egomaniacs. An accurate diagnostic code is there for a reason and needs to be followed explicitly and not used to increase funding in schools, which is not infrequent today.

Please be responsible in your role as a provider of accurate, documented research. The world is sorely in need of unbiased data to make logical decisions these days.

In an October letter to the editor (“In Support of APD,”), the name of the association of auditory processing specialists was incorrect. The correct name is the International Guild of Auditory Processing Specialists.

1 Comment

January 8, 2018

Mary Katherine Lane

Correction to author

I would like to respectfully point out that the incidence statistic that ASHA quotes (1 in 68) is less than the 5% incidence reported by the author of this letter. 1 in 68 comes out to less than 2% of children, meaning that the author's statistic would be far more 'inflated' than ASHA's.